ELECTIONS for Amerindian Leaders (Toshaos) will be held between July 16 and July 22, according to Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon.

Minister Harmon, at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, said that Amerindian Affairs Minister and Vice-President, Mr Sydney Allicock has been “aggressively pursuing elections for Toshaos in 187 Indigenous communities across the country.”
He explained that, based on numerous reports government ministers had received about how funds were spent in the various communities, an audit will be done prior to the planned elections, so as to satisfy residents that monies allocated were spent “in the way they were meant to be spent in their communities.”
According to the Amerindian Act, “Elections shall be held in a village at intervals of not more than 36 and not less than 33 months, under the direction of a returning officer.”
The Act further states: “The date of the election shall be fixed by the minister, in consultation with the returning officer, and the Minister may fix a date for the election of a Toshao, one which is different from the date fixed for the election of the councillors.”
It also says that “the returning officer shall give the Village Council a written notice of election not later than 35 days before election day, which shall confirm the day on which the election will be held.”
According to the law, upon receiving the election notice, the Village Council shall immediately call a Village General Meeting, and inform the people of the contents of the election notice. Additionally, not later than 60 days before the election date, the Village Council shall compile an electoral list of all adult residents, display the electoral list at the Village Office, and permit all residents to inspect it. The Village Council must also submit the electoral list to the returning officer.
The last election for Amerindian leaders was held in April 2012. (GINA)